Update Office and your computer with Microsoft Update

The best way to get your Microsoft updates is to set your computer to install them automatically, and you can do that in Windows. Office updates are part of the Microsoft updates you get after you set up getting updates in Windows.

You can also get updates manually at any time. We recommend that you use automatic updating—but if you choose not to, be sure to check for updates at least once a week.

Turn on automatic updates in Windows 10

If you didn't turn on automatic updating when you first started using your PC, you can change your settings any time in Windows Update.

Turn on automatic updates in Windows 8 or 8.1

Open Control Panel by pressing the Windows logo key + X to see a list of commands and options, and then click Control Panel.

Choose System and Security.

Choose Windows Update.

Choose Change settings, and choose or change the settings you want and remember your computer has to be on at the time you selected to install new updates.

Turn on automatic updates in Windows 7

Close all open programs.

Choose Start > Control Panel.

Choose System and Security (which you see when you view Control Panel by Category).

Choose Windows Update.

In the left-hand pane, choose Change Settings.

Under Important Updates, choose Install updates automatically.

Your IT department might set automatic updates for you. If they do, you'll see the message in the yellow bar, and you won't be able to use the Important Updates list or set dates and times, like so:

Select any other options, and remember your computer has to be on at the time you selected to install new updates.

Tips

If you view the items in Control Panel by their icons instead of categories, you choose System > Windows Update > Change Settings.

You'll receive updates for Office, Windows, and other products like Zune.

Updates come in three flavors: Important, Recommended, and Optional. You'll only get the important updates unless you select the second option Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates.

It's a good idea to install the recommended updates. The optional updates may be things you don’t need, like the ability to change the language in your Office programs. It doesn't hurt to install them, but you have to get those updates manually.

Turn on automatic updates in Windows Vista

Choose Start, point to All Programs, and then choose Windows Update.

Do any of the following:

If updates need to be installed, choose Install updates.

To start checking for updates, choose Check for updates.

For more information, choose View available updates.

In the Windows Update dialog box, choose the links to make changes or learn more about the update process.